Persona Pizzeria, based out of Santa Barbara, Calif., says it will open at least three locations in Chicago by June. Chicago will be Persona's fifth and largest market and its first in the Midwest. Persona has restaurants in Santa Rosa, Calif. and Columbia, S.C., and is slated to open nine new locations this year in Dallas, Houston and L.A.

With options like Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, Pie Five Pizza and 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza, Persona may be hard-pressed to compete and standout since it is late to the game, but chef and CEO Glenn Cybulski said he's not worried.

“We're a little late to the market, but we have the best product in the industry,” said Cybulski, 55. "Persona is going to be accepted extremely well in Chicago because of our high quality and commitment to excellence."

Persona specializes in 12-inch personal pizzas that are baked for 90 seconds in an 800-degree oven. Customers can choose from more than 30 toppings. Ingredients will be sourced from local farms, Cybulski said. Gluten-free options and salads are also available. Pizzas start at $7.95 and salads at $4.95.

Greg Dunn, a Chicago-based entrepreneur and the franchisee initiating the introduction of Persona to Chicago, said Persona locations will likely be located in the Loop and some adjacent neighborhoods such as the South Loop, Old Town and River North. Each location should add about 15 full- and part-time jobs.